Today, we’re announcing the 3D Data Partner Program, a new approach to compensating TurboSquid artists when your content is used in data licensing.
This program divides data licensing participation into two royalty rates:
- 20% baseline royalty rate for anyone opted in
- 50% royalty rate for artists who meet the program’s eligibility requirements
These rates are separate from SquidLevels and independent of SquidGuild participation.
Previously, earnings from data licensing were pooled and distributed through the Shutterstock Contributor Fund. Moving to the 3D Data Partner Program will allow us to issue payouts more frequently and reward active artists who consistently submit high-quality, data-ready 3D models.
How do I qualify for the 3D Data Partner Program?
You will be automatically included in the higher 50% royalty rate for eligible data licensing deals if you meet the following criteria:
- Publish at least 12 qualifying assets during the previous 90 days, roughly 4 models per month
- Remain opted in to data licensing
To count toward qualification, an asset must:
- Be published and currently available for sale on TurboSquid
- Include GLB or GLTF and USD or USDZ formats
- Have successfully completed TurboSquid’s quality review
- Meet content requirements, including no spam, trivial variants, artificially split content, or AI-generated content
If you’re already creating assets for StemCell, you’re ahead of the game, as these required formats are already part of the workflow.
How will I know if I’m eligible?
Every quarter, roughly every 90 days, prior to issuing available payments, we will evaluate eligibility for the higher program royalty rate.
If you met the criteria for 3D Data Partner Program in the last 90 days and have funds to be paid from eligible deals, your payment amount will be set for 50%.
If you did not meet the criteria, but remained opted in to data licensing and your content was included in a deal, your payout amount for that deal will be set at 20%.
We’re working to make your status and progress toward qualification visible in the contributor experience, so you’ll be able to understand where you stand and what you can do to qualify.
When will I get paid?
Data licensing agreements tend to be unique, with long periods of time between a customer expressing interest, content delivery, and final payments. These agreements can span multiple years.
Going forward, our goal is to pay opted-in contributors quarterly when data licensing funds are available, regardless of which royalty rate they qualify for.
There will not be funds available every quarter, and quarterly payouts will naturally be smaller than annual payouts.
It is important to remain opted in to data licensing if you wish to participate in this earnings opportunity.
If you are not opted in at the time of a deal, your content will not be included and you will not receive payments.
If you choose to opt out later, you will still receive payments for any deal your content was included in prior to your decision to opt out.
What should I do now?
If you want to maximize your opportunity to participate in future 3D data licensing:
- Stay opted in to data licensing
- Publish consistently: 12 qualifying assets every 90 days is the target
- Include the right formats: GLB or GLTF and USD or USDZ
- Focus on quality: Only assets that clear our human review process qualify
The time and expertise you invest in your models make these licensing opportunities possible.
With the 3D Data Partner Program, we’re working to make the business side clearer: what qualifies, how royalties are determined, and when payments can be expected. If you have more questions please see our FAQ or reach out to support.
Thank you for sharing your work with TurboSquid and for continuing to tell us what you need to make these opportunities work for you.